Rams’ Matthew Stafford says he’ll take time to decide on future

PHILADELPHIA – Less than an hour after the Los Angeles Rams’ 28-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round of the playoffs on Sunday, quarterback Matthew Stafford was asked about his future in the NFL.

Glancing at his watch, Stafford noted that the match had not long been over and that he would “take some time to think about it.”

“But I feel like I’m playing really good ball,” Stafford said.

Asked if he still had any football left, he replied: “Of course, I want to.”

Stafford, 36, has two years remaining on his contract, time he and the Rams worked to adjust to before training camp this season. Rams coach Sean McVay declined to answer a postgame question about Stafford’s future Sunday, saying, “I’m not really interested in talking about anything as far as the ‘next year.’

“Right now, I’m just enjoying this team,” McVay said.

McVay spoke emotionally at the podium, discussing his love for this Rams team that went from 1-4 heading into its bye week before winning nine of its next 11 games to win the NFC West.

The longtime coach said the loss to the Eagles — in which the Rams trailed by 13 points with four minutes, 47 seconds left before falling back to six and in scoring position late in the game – “embodied the resilience, the courage, the ability to overcome adversity” of the team this season.

As he spoke, McVay said he was “pretty shocked” because he and everyone in the locker room “didn’t see it any other way than if we won this game 29-28.”

“Everyone in this locker room believes in (Stafford) with every inch of our being,” wide receiver Puka Nacua said. “It’s a great feeling to go out there and know that your quarterback is willing to put it all on the line and is able to make the play every time it’s asked of him. We all have confidence in number 9.”

Stafford completed 26 of 44 passes for 324 yards for two touchdowns and no interceptions. He fumbled twice, losing one in the fourth quarter. Stafford has 15 passing touchdowns in the postseason for the Rams, tying Kurt Warner for the most in team history, according to ESPN Research.

The Rams had a chance to score and kick an extra point to take the lead, with a first down at the Philadelphia 21 with one minute, 19 seconds remaining. After a false start, a 10-yard completion and a sack for a loss of 9 yards on third down, Stafford’s fourth pass fell incomplete.

“We had every opportunity to win this game at the end,” McVay said. “And we’re a few plays away from me being a lot happier right now. … I’m happy to be a part of this team and proud of this group. And I’m really bummed that this journey is over.”

Stafford was playing Sunday with a rib injury, an injury he said he had been dealing with “to varying degrees for a while” but aggravated early in the game. He said he “was able to kind of calm him down” and “didn’t feel like it was a big factor” in the match.

“He got his chops early,” McVay said. “He got angry. But he’s a warrior. He’s so tough. He represents so many things that are right about what this team has become, especially for a city that’s hurting and going through different things.

“I think he embodies a lot of things about him in terms of toughness, resilience, ability to overcome adversity. He’s a fucking stud. And I thought he was outstanding tonight with the opportunities he’s been given…I’m really proud of Matthew Stafford.”

And although Stafford said he hadn’t made any decisions about his future, in recounting the end of the game, he talked about the next time he would be on the field.

“I had a chance and I didn’t make it,” Stafford said. “But I love to compete. I love to be in those moments. Of course, I’m not afraid of it. And I competed hard and it didn’t go the way I wanted today .Next time I’m there, line it up.